Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Clark, John H. 1796 - 1867
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 5, 2005, 7:41 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JOHN H. CLARK.

  "The subject of this sketch was the son of William and Mary Clark, of Putnam
county, Georgia, and was born on the 30th of November, 1796. The father, William
Clark, was a man without reproach, a most excellent citizen and worthy member of
the Baptist church. The mother, Mary Clark, was a member of the same church, and
one of the most pious and exemplary women of her day. Her life was a constant
commentary on the truths and efficacy of the Christian religion. Her maiden same
was Harvey. She belonged to an extensive family of that name, who, by
inter-marriage, connected themselves with many of the leading names of this
State. She was not simply a professor of religion, but a worker, and in all the
relations of life she illustrated all the Christian graces. She departed this
life on November 8th, 1830, in the full assurance of faith. Her husband, who had
been led to the Saviour by her godly life, was overwhelmed by the sad event and
expressed an earnest desire to follow her. His wish was gratified, and the Lord
took him to himself on the 16th of January, 1831, two months and a half after
the death of his consort.

  "The sons of this family were Jeremiah, John, James and Benjamin. The only
daughter was Charity, who married Jones Kendrick. They spent the last quarter of
their lives in Houston county. She was also a devoted and highly prized member
of the Baptist church, and her works live after her. She finished her course and
went up higher in August, 1867, some four months after the death of her brother
John, the subject of this sketch.

  “John Harvey Clark, the subject of this memoir, was born in Greene county,
and, when in his infancy, his father moved to Putnam county, then a wilderness.
He is supposed to be among the very first settlers of that county. The lands
were granted by the State after he came. He bought a settlement on Little river
and built a neat, comfortable house, where he resided up to the time of his
death. The country was new and rough, and the means of education very limited.
The boys had to work on the farm, and going to school was only an occasional
occupation. Still something in this way was done, and means were provided to
furnish some of the children with more than ordinary advantages. John, however,
did not enjoy these advantages. He was a plough-boy, and his schooling was
confined to a slight knowledge of the usual elementary branches. In early life
he inter-married with Elizabeth, the daughter of James Kendrick, who still
survives him—a woman of slight educational advantages, but of fine personal
appearance, and of marked and decided character. Industrious to a fault, with
sound practical sense, great fortitude, and of rare determination, self-reliance
and courage. With limited means, she has had the care of a large family on her
hands, but failure in no sense has ever resulted from want of fidelity and
untiring energy on her part. She has ever been a toiler, and her toils, which
but few women could stand, have not been in vain. In comparative health, having
passed her threescore and ten, she is descending the plane of life with mind
clear and unclouded, and her trust in God firm and unshaken. In a few more years
at most, she will enter "that rest" which, is reserved for the faithful, toiling
followers of the Saviour.

  “The subject of this sketch was a farmer, and the manhood of his life was
spent in that avocation. It cannot be said that he was a successful farmer. For
a man of his means and large family, his habits were too expensive. He ever kept
open house for the accommodation and comfort of all comers, and in this respect
his hospitality was extravagant. No one ever failed to find shelter under his
roof, and no one ever called on him in vain for help. He sold corn to his needy
neighbors at fifty cents a bushel, and bought the same season at one dollar a
bushel. He joined the Baptist church some ten years after marriage, and from
that time to the day of his death, his house was a home for ministers of all
denominations and for every penniless man and woman. It was utterly impossible
for him to resist appeals, and he gave, when, by so doing, he put in jeopardy
the comfort of his own family. He would divide the last loaf with, the beggar,
who would smile at his liberality. When he resided in Putnam county, on
meeting-days his house was thronged with people. The dinner table was spread
from noon until night. As soon as the preaching was over, he would make it a
special business to see all visitors and invite them home with him. And nearly
all went. This excessive liberality was too great for his limited means, and he
was compelled to forego it in after years. If it was a fault, it proceeded from
the best of motives. He loved everybody and wanted to make them comfortable, and
delighted in social enjoyments. His heart was a well of human kindness, ever
springing up, and then overflowing. His servants were spoiled by this excessive
kindness, and his children would have been endangered from the same source but
for the strong hand and disciplinary power of the mother. He harbored malice
toward none, and if he ever became angry, the sun went not down on his wrath.

  "He joined the Enon Baptist church, Putnam county, about the year 1828, and
was baptized by Rev. James Henderson. This was before the great division of the
Baptist family into mission and anti-mission bodies. When the division took
place, Enon church allied herself with the anti-mission movement as a member of
the Ocmulgee Association. Soon thereafter he withdrew, and with a few others
worshiped in the neighborhood at a school-house under the patronage of the
Eatonton church. The nucleus of a church was gathered together under the
ministry of Rev. J. H. Campbell, who was then a young man, and labored with
great zeal and efficiency in building up the Baptist interest in that region.

  " Ramoth church was formed out of such elements as had left Enon and such
others as had professed a faith, and Mr. Campbell was chosen pastor. The subject
of this sketch was one of the deacons. The relation between pastor and deacon
was ever harmonious, as he can testify, and he can bear witness to the zeal of
the deacon, for they were ever fast friends and co-laborers in the vineyard. He
entered the ministry late in life— at least when the prime of his manhood was
past, with but few advantages and but a remote prospect of success. But from the
time of his giving himself to the pastoral work up to within a short time of his
death, and until feeble health compelled him to desist, he labored zealously and
earnestly for the Master and the good of souls. For several years his labors
were given to Putnam, Jones and Baldwin counties. In 1854 he removed with his
family to Houston and served churches in that county, Macon, Dooly and Lee. It
cannot be said that he was an able preacher. He never laid claim to any such
pretensions. His previous occupation, his limited education and his advanced
age, precluded all such aspirations. All his aim was to do good and be an humble
instrument of winning souls to Christ. In this respect, it may be said that he
was successful in an unusual degree. The churches prospered under his ministry,
and many souls were added to them. Many are now living in the several counties
named who owe their conversion, under God, to his efforts, and the remembrance
of the deceased pastor is dear and precious to them. He was ever willing for
others to wear the crown, and envied no man his greatness. Hence he was highly
esteemed for his labors.

  "This is the humble pastor's reward—to labor faithfully in the vineyard and
win souls to Christ. The honors of the world, the applause of multitudes, do not
seduce them from this work. Their best efforts are subject to criticism, but if
they present the cross so as to awaken sinners and induce them to come to
Christ, great is their reward. The poor husbandman who has toiled for the
Master, with but few of the praises of men to cheer him, when he enters at last
into his rest, bringing his sheaves with him, can thank God that his labors have
been blessed—can present them as trophies of his victory in the name of Christ,
and shout unceasing anthems of redeeming grace.

  "The subject of this sketch died on the 23d of April, 1867. His health was
quite feeble for months before his decease, so much so as to debar him from
active work, and from all work toward the close. A very few days before his
death, in answer to a letter of inquiry from a member of his family about his
spiritual condition, in view of the great change which must soon take place, he
said that he had nothing to commend him to the Saviour—that he was a poor
sinner, without merit and without claim on the divine favor, and that he relied
solely on the Saviour, and that all hopes of salvation were in his blood. In a
few days he passed away. The message came at night, and within a few hours death
claimed him as his own. But his works follow him, and his name and his fame are
still fresh in the hearts of his brethren with whom he was associated.

  "Judge James M. Clark, of Americus, an eminent civilian and worthy Christian
gentleman, is a son of his, and all the members of his family are highly
respectable."


Additional Comments:
From:

GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.


MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.


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